Houston is a big place with a lot of people in motion each morning and evening. The Houston area can have around two million vehicles on the road each day. That’s a lot of SUVs, large trucks, and motorcycles. Sadly, in the rush of traffic, the vulnerable pedestrians trying to cross streets sometimes get forgotten until a tragic accident occurs.
Drivers may know they pose a threat to the many unprotected pedestrians they pass every day. Still, a visual reminder may be a better way to highlight the need to crack down on distracted and reckless driving. Each victim on the charts below should make a powerful case for drivers to slow down and take notice of the pedestrians around them. The Gutierrez Law Firm is an advocate for pedestrian safety and hopes the facts illustrated in this study lead to a safer 2024 and beyond.
How Many Pedestrians Are Killed in Houston Each Year?
According to the City of Houston’s most recent Zero Vision Reports (2021 & 2022), pedestrians represented 36% of traffic deaths in the city in 2022 and 16% of serious injuries.
The rate of injuries for pedestrians has been rising since the pandemic year of 2020 when fewer cars were on busy streets and interstates. 2022 left 245 Houston pedestrians with serious injuries, marking an 11% increase from 2021.
Houston tragically lost 323 people in fatal crashes in 2022 and at least 115 victims were pedestrians. That was about an 8% rise in deadly incidents from the year before.
We await official 2023 pedestrian accident figures to see if the unfortunate trend continues, but unfortunately, chances are not looking good for an improvement. The Houston Chronicle reported in April of 2023 that pedestrian accidents in the greater Houston area had already resulted in over 50 fatalities for the year.
Where Are the Most Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians in Houston?
Those on foot are at extreme risk no matter what part of Houston they’re in, but there are some intersections that have gained the worst reputation for all types of traffic accidents. KHOU-TV reported on a University of Houston study that labeled the local intersections that saw the most traffic accidents.
These are spots where drivers are proven to be showing the least caution, meaning sure dangers for other motorists and those on foot. The Pease Street & Fannin Street intersection downtown saw the most traffic accidents of any intersection in the entire city with 59 crashes reported. The study examined the period from March of 2021 to February of 2022.
The area around Bissonnet Street and the Sam Houston Parkway is another extremely dangerous spot for walkers, runners, and cyclists. Areas around colleges and schools, like the University of Houston, will also see elevated numbers of pedestrian impacts.
How Many Pedestrians Die in Texas Pedestrian Accidents?
In 2022, there were 5,766 pedestrian accidents documented across Texas. According to the Texas DOT (TxDot), those accidents resulted in a shocking 830 people losing their lives statewide.
Pedestrian traffic fatalities increased 30 percent in Texas from 2018 through 2022 and now account for one in five of all roadway deaths. TxDOT says that drivers failing to yield to pedestrians, speeding, and distracted driving were the most frequent causes of collisions.
The numbers show that driver recklessness just keeps escalating. The number of pedestrian fatalities in Texas has only been rising in recent years, even reaching beyond pre-pandemic levels. The DOT numbers for Texas were reported here and they confirm a sad trend.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that Texas was tied with Florida for second place on a list of the states reporting the most pedestrian fatalities in 2021. They only trailed California for the negative distinction of losing the most lives in pedestrian collisions.
Hope For Safer Intersections in Houston
Houston’s city officials have been upgrading several of Houston’s most dangerous intersections in recent years. We hope the safety improvements bring a huge reduction in pedestrian accidents in 2024 and beyond. Unfortunately, the only path to real improvement must also include effort from Houston motorists to pay more attention to walkers and runners.
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident and a driver’s mistake was to blame, please make sure you receive the full support you’ll need to make a recovery. Gutierrez Law Firm of Houston is happy to show you how to earn justice and financial help after a devastating pedestrian accident. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation.
